Page:The ecclesiastical architecture of Scotland ( Volume 3).djvu/87

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to the adoption of the low and poor flying buttresses (which are evidently an afterthought) as a means of steadying the main structure.

Fig. 999.—Iona Cathedral. Window in North Side of Choir, East End of South Aisle, &c.

The north side of the choir is so peculiar in its arrangements that little can be gathered from it with regard to dates. If the pillar and

Fig. 1000.—Iona Cathedral.

Section of Arch Mouldings.

arches of the high chapel over the sacristy (see Fig. 983) are of thirteenth century work, as their ornamentation would at first sight lead one to suppose, they might possibly have been re-erected in their present position; but they are more likely to have been made in imitation of thirteenth century work, and built here at a late period. The section of the arch mouldings (Fig. 1000) is almost identical with that of the chapter house arches, which (as will be afterwards explained) are almost undoubtedly of very late date.